Policewoman who ended Westfield Bondi attack hailed a hero

With a bullet to a murderer’s chest, a heroic female police officer stopped the Bondi massacre and saved multiple lives, even as the attacker advanced upon her.

NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott shot Bondi attacker Joel Cauchi mid-rampage.

With a bullet to a murderer’s chest, a heroic female police officer ended the Bondi massacre and saved multiple lives after racing through the busy Westfield shopping mall to confront the knifeman who had fatally stabbed six people.

An emotional Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday night singled out the courage of NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, who had been nearby when the stabbing frenzy began and rushed alone to the top floor of the centre where the rampaging killer was armed with a 30cm knife.

“She entered the proceedings that were taking place, obviously very dangerous, by herself,” Mr Albanese said.

“She is certainly a hero.

“There is no doubt that she saved lives through her actions.”

A “shocked and saddened” Prince and Princess of Wales also recognised her actions in a social media post which paid tribute to the “heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others”.

The King also spoke of his utter shock and horror, saying his heart went out to the families of those brutally killed in the atrocity.

The King said that his and Queen Camilla’s thoughts were with the people of Sydney.

“My wife and I were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi,” the monarch said in a statement late on Saturday night.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack.

“While details of these shocking circumstances are still emerging, our thoughts are also with those were involved in the response, and we give thanks to the bravery of the first responders and emergency services.”

As panicked shoppers ran for their lives, the officer was directed to killer’s location by bystanders, police said.

Witness Jason Dixon told The Sunday Telegraph the policewoman, Inspector Scott, was rushing to catch up with the murderer and yelled at him to put down his knife.

“He turned and began to advance on her,’’ Mr Dixon said.

“All she said was ‘Put it down’. Just once. Then she shot him in the chest and he went down.”

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley met with Inspector Scott on Saturday night to thank her on behalf of the NSW government, and the community of NSW.

“We talked about her just going straight into police mode, everything she has been taught during her career as a NSW Police officer, and how instinctive it was.

“When I said to her ‘thank you for your courage’ she said, ‘well, it wasn’t just me, the bystanders were just so helpful’,” she said.

“So humble, its just typical of a NSW Police officer, but let me tell you I know that tributes will be coming from wide and far to thank her for her quick actions, she was there within minutes, she was on general duties and happened to be in the vicinity.

“Her actions meant that the disaster could have been far worse and she prevented that from happening so we’re very very thankful and so grateful for her courage and for her doing such an extraordinary job.”

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said when the man turned to face the officer he “raised a knife, she discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased”.

The officer immediately began CPR on the offender.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, who on Saturday night cut short a foreign holiday to return home in the wake of the atrocity, said the eight million people of NSW were deeply grateful for her heroism.

“She saved lives today with enormous courage,’’ Premier Chris Minns told Radio 2GB.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb spoke to the “very senior” officer and said she was “doing well under the circumstances”.

“She showed enormous courage and bravery, and she will process obviously that,’ Commissioner Webb told an 8.30pm press conference.

The officer is expected to be formally interviewed on Sunday as part of the investigation into Saturday’s horror.

Mr Dixon said the killer had been “armed with a big kitchen knife – one of the knives you use in the meat works.

“She had to shoot him, because he just kept coming,” Mr Dixon said.

“He had a knife and he wasn’t going to stop.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ireland’s new leader Simon Harris, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf and US Ambassador to Canberra Caroline Kennedy were among others to express their shock and express condolences.